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Sunday, March 19, 2017

March 19 - Esther 1

Today's reading in our daily plan is Esther 1. Take a moment to pray, asking God to speak to you from this passage. Then read, using the following notes and questions to help you get everything out of the passage.

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

As the book of Esther begins, we read about King Xerxes...a powerful and rich king who liked to show off just how wealthy he was. The beginning of chapter 1 opens with the description of a lavish party, even describing the wine, decorations and goblets.

Things escalate quickly when, in a drunken state, King Xerxes demands the presence of his queen for the sole purpose of putting her on display. The queen refuses and King Xerxes in drunken anger, strips the queen of her title as queen and banishes her from the kingdom.

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

King Xerxes is in a compromised state, he has had too much to drink and finds himself in an 'I'll show you' moment...which is never a good combination. In this state, the king makes a request and Queen Vashti refuses. The king, being unable to think through things rationally and feeling as though his manhood and the manhood of the entire kingdom is at stake, makes a quick, drastic, and permanent decision.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

It's easy to judge King Xerxes. But haven't we all been there? Whether it's alcohol or stress or lack of sleep or a highly emotional time in life or anything else that puts us in a comprised state of mind...we've all made decisions that we wished we hadn't. When you find yourself in that position, take a minute to step away. Instead of making a rash decision, step back and wait. Wait until morning, wait until your head is clear, wait until you've been able to seek good council and make a good decision with no regrets.